Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Inauguration Of The New Masonic Hall And Buildings.
The Grand Master then descended from the throne , and a procession was formed in the following order : — The Grand Chaplain , carrying on a cushion the volume of the Sacred Law , with the square and compasses . The Junior Grand Warden , carrying the cornucopia , with corn .
The Senior Grand Warden , carrying the ewer , with wine . The Deputy Grand Master , carrying the ewer , with oil . The Grand Sword Bearer . The Grand Master . The procession then moved three times round the Grand Lodge , and the wine , corn , and oil were then sprinkled by the Grand Masterand the usual dedication to the great princiles
, p of which they are symbolic took place . The Rev . Robert J . Simpson , Grand Chaplain , then delivered the oration , which will be given next week . The following anthem was then sung : — " HAIL ! IMMORTAL LORD . ( Music composed expressly for tho occasion by Bro . AV . Coward '
Grand Organist . ) " Hail ! immortal Lord ! By hoavon and oarth adored , All hail ! Great God ! Before thy name we bend , To us thy grace extend , And to our prayer attend . " All hail ! crreat God !
The Grand Lodge was then closed , and tbe brethren retired . THE BANQUET . Shortly before seven o'clock the brethren assembled in the dining hall , and a procession was formed , consisting of Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers , who preceded the Grand Masterand he took his seat at the head of the chief table .
, The banquet was provided iu a most bountiful manner , and reflected the highest credit upon Bro . Gosden , the energetic manager of the Freemasons' Tavern Company . On the conclusion of the repast , grace was sung by the professional singers . The Grand Master , in giving the first toast of " The Queen , " congratulated the brethren that she was again coming more
amongst her subjects . The toast was drank , followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Mdlle . Carola , Madame Pyne , and Bros . AVilbye Cooper and Winn . " The Prince and Princess of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " were also duly honoured . Bro . T . HallProv . Grand Blaster for Cambridgeshiresaid
, , the toast be had to propose was one that he was sure would be received with the greatest satisfaction , as it was " The health of the Richt Hon . tbe Earl of Zetland , the 3 I . W . the Grand Master of England , who has gained the affection of the brethren , not only in this country , but all over the world . He need not refer to tbe building which had been reorganised , and a valuable principle adopted , for they then had a separation of their lodges
from the Tavern . It had for some time been a reproach to them that their mysteries were performed in rooms which were almost immediately afterwards used for conviviality , and it had been well said by the Grand Chaplain , that the name of Zetland was not only engraved on tbe building , but on the heart of every Freemason , for he had found Masonry in a tavern , but he would leave it in a palace . The toast was enthusiastically drank , and with loud cheers .
The Grand Master , in responding , said : Brethren , I will ask you to afford me for a few minutes , by your silence , an opportunity of expressing my feelings on this occasion . I can assure you that I find it very difficult to do so , for tbe kindness with which I have been received this day not only compensates me for my trouble and anxiety for the hist twenty-five years I have been Grand Master , but it venders it most difficult to express my gratitude for the kind support you have given me during
that long period . I may say in reference to the admirable speech delivered by Bro . Havers in the Temple , when he com plimented me , that an honour bad been conferred upon Free masonry by my having served so long as Grand Master but I consider that Freemasonry has conferred n great
honour on mo in electing me for twenty-five times as Grand Master . I can assure you , brethren , that . I never conceived that I conferred an honour upon Freemasonry , but I do conceive that Freemasonry has done me a high and unmerited honour in electing me so often as Grand Master , and I can assure you I feel , in the inmost recesses of my heart , that I can never do sufficient to the good opinion you . have
repay formed of me . If I could have done ten times as much , it would be no more than I had a right to do . I wish I could have done more ; but , as far as my talents and labour have enabled me , I have done what I believe to be the best . I assure you that I feel proud of this day ; I feel proud of the compliment you have paid me in inviting me to preside at the inauguration of this building at the end of 25 years , and after what has been
accomplished for Freemasonry . I am fully aware that very little merit is due to mo for what has taken place , except that I have done all iu my power to build a temple adequate to the wants of Freemasonry , and separate Freemasonry from the influences of the tavern . By the efforts of the Building Committee and the good sense of Grand Lodge , this great act has been lishedand I trust for the benefit of Freemasonry in
accomp , ages to come . I shall not live to see it , but I hope my name may go down with what has been done , and I shall bear with me " to tbe grave the recollection that for 25 years I have presided over the great Craft of English Freemasons ; and I have great pleasure in drinking success to this building and all concerned with it .
The Grand Master said : —Brethren it is , now my pleasing duty to propose a toast which I am sure needs no recommendation of mine . The toast to which I invite your attention is "The Health of the Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland . " That is a toast that is given on every occasion of our great meetings , but it is not then given as now when we are not only honoured by the presence of the Grand Master of Scotland in but wc are also honoured bthe presence of the
person , y Deputy Grand Master of Ireland . If it had been possible , we should havd been honoured by the presence of the Grand Master of Ireland , but I have received a communication from him , stating that in consequence of his Masonic duties in Ireland it would , prevent him from coming over , as he did us the honour of attending on the occasion of laying the foundation stone . AVith regard to the Grand Master of Scotland , I need not say one
word as he is well known to the greater part of those present , as one who for so long occupied the post of Deputy Grand Master , and I ' am sure he is worthy ofthe great acclamations , you will amply and cordially bestow upon him . . As to Sir Edward Burroughs , the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , he has done us the honour to come from Ireland to attend on this occasion in the name of the Grand Master of Ireland . I feel
myself highly gratified by his presence hero this day , and I am sure yon will drink with all honours tlie toast , which is " The health of the Grand Musters of Scotland and Ireland . " ( Drunk with loud cheering . )
The Earl of Dalhousie , G . M . for Scotland , said , —Brethren , as your M . AV . Grand Master has said , tlie toast he has just given on ordinary occasions is somewhat of a formal character . 1 rejoice to find ou this important occasion that we are united together , and I thank you for the way in which the G . M . of Scotland has been received iu the Grand Lodge of England } aud , brethren , I shall make my constituents in Scotland aware of the hih honour have conferred ou their Grand Master
g you on the present occasion . I hope , however , that I do not sever myself when I say that although sailing under my national colours , you will recognise the old flag under which I formerly fought . Although I have been called upon to fill the Masonic throne of Scotland for a season , my Masonry dates from England , and England is the standard under which I was made , aud under which I served . I am old enough to remember the
introduction of our M . W . G . Master to tlie Masonic throne of England ,, and since he has occupied that line he has been of great benefit to the Masons of England in the accomplishment of that great work of which he has this day , as it were , made the key stone . Brethren , lot me congratulate you that you have now a temple of Freemasonry , not where we celebrate festivities , but in a lace where we can on the secret mysteries of the Craft
p carry , and where only those sacred mysteries will be practised within these walls . You have not only * done that , but you have added a group of buildings , and the * magnificent hall in which I am now addressing you . Nothing is more required to make Freemasony in England perfect than that every man should put his
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Inauguration Of The New Masonic Hall And Buildings.
The Grand Master then descended from the throne , and a procession was formed in the following order : — The Grand Chaplain , carrying on a cushion the volume of the Sacred Law , with the square and compasses . The Junior Grand Warden , carrying the cornucopia , with corn .
The Senior Grand Warden , carrying the ewer , with wine . The Deputy Grand Master , carrying the ewer , with oil . The Grand Sword Bearer . The Grand Master . The procession then moved three times round the Grand Lodge , and the wine , corn , and oil were then sprinkled by the Grand Masterand the usual dedication to the great princiles
, p of which they are symbolic took place . The Rev . Robert J . Simpson , Grand Chaplain , then delivered the oration , which will be given next week . The following anthem was then sung : — " HAIL ! IMMORTAL LORD . ( Music composed expressly for tho occasion by Bro . AV . Coward '
Grand Organist . ) " Hail ! immortal Lord ! By hoavon and oarth adored , All hail ! Great God ! Before thy name we bend , To us thy grace extend , And to our prayer attend . " All hail ! crreat God !
The Grand Lodge was then closed , and tbe brethren retired . THE BANQUET . Shortly before seven o'clock the brethren assembled in the dining hall , and a procession was formed , consisting of Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers , who preceded the Grand Masterand he took his seat at the head of the chief table .
, The banquet was provided iu a most bountiful manner , and reflected the highest credit upon Bro . Gosden , the energetic manager of the Freemasons' Tavern Company . On the conclusion of the repast , grace was sung by the professional singers . The Grand Master , in giving the first toast of " The Queen , " congratulated the brethren that she was again coming more
amongst her subjects . The toast was drank , followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Mdlle . Carola , Madame Pyne , and Bros . AVilbye Cooper and Winn . " The Prince and Princess of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " were also duly honoured . Bro . T . HallProv . Grand Blaster for Cambridgeshiresaid
, , the toast be had to propose was one that he was sure would be received with the greatest satisfaction , as it was " The health of the Richt Hon . tbe Earl of Zetland , the 3 I . W . the Grand Master of England , who has gained the affection of the brethren , not only in this country , but all over the world . He need not refer to tbe building which had been reorganised , and a valuable principle adopted , for they then had a separation of their lodges
from the Tavern . It had for some time been a reproach to them that their mysteries were performed in rooms which were almost immediately afterwards used for conviviality , and it had been well said by the Grand Chaplain , that the name of Zetland was not only engraved on tbe building , but on the heart of every Freemason , for he had found Masonry in a tavern , but he would leave it in a palace . The toast was enthusiastically drank , and with loud cheers .
The Grand Master , in responding , said : Brethren , I will ask you to afford me for a few minutes , by your silence , an opportunity of expressing my feelings on this occasion . I can assure you that I find it very difficult to do so , for tbe kindness with which I have been received this day not only compensates me for my trouble and anxiety for the hist twenty-five years I have been Grand Master , but it venders it most difficult to express my gratitude for the kind support you have given me during
that long period . I may say in reference to the admirable speech delivered by Bro . Havers in the Temple , when he com plimented me , that an honour bad been conferred upon Free masonry by my having served so long as Grand Master but I consider that Freemasonry has conferred n great
honour on mo in electing me for twenty-five times as Grand Master . I can assure you , brethren , that . I never conceived that I conferred an honour upon Freemasonry , but I do conceive that Freemasonry has done me a high and unmerited honour in electing me so often as Grand Master , and I can assure you I feel , in the inmost recesses of my heart , that I can never do sufficient to the good opinion you . have
repay formed of me . If I could have done ten times as much , it would be no more than I had a right to do . I wish I could have done more ; but , as far as my talents and labour have enabled me , I have done what I believe to be the best . I assure you that I feel proud of this day ; I feel proud of the compliment you have paid me in inviting me to preside at the inauguration of this building at the end of 25 years , and after what has been
accomplished for Freemasonry . I am fully aware that very little merit is due to mo for what has taken place , except that I have done all iu my power to build a temple adequate to the wants of Freemasonry , and separate Freemasonry from the influences of the tavern . By the efforts of the Building Committee and the good sense of Grand Lodge , this great act has been lishedand I trust for the benefit of Freemasonry in
accomp , ages to come . I shall not live to see it , but I hope my name may go down with what has been done , and I shall bear with me " to tbe grave the recollection that for 25 years I have presided over the great Craft of English Freemasons ; and I have great pleasure in drinking success to this building and all concerned with it .
The Grand Master said : —Brethren it is , now my pleasing duty to propose a toast which I am sure needs no recommendation of mine . The toast to which I invite your attention is "The Health of the Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland . " That is a toast that is given on every occasion of our great meetings , but it is not then given as now when we are not only honoured by the presence of the Grand Master of Scotland in but wc are also honoured bthe presence of the
person , y Deputy Grand Master of Ireland . If it had been possible , we should havd been honoured by the presence of the Grand Master of Ireland , but I have received a communication from him , stating that in consequence of his Masonic duties in Ireland it would , prevent him from coming over , as he did us the honour of attending on the occasion of laying the foundation stone . AVith regard to the Grand Master of Scotland , I need not say one
word as he is well known to the greater part of those present , as one who for so long occupied the post of Deputy Grand Master , and I ' am sure he is worthy ofthe great acclamations , you will amply and cordially bestow upon him . . As to Sir Edward Burroughs , the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , he has done us the honour to come from Ireland to attend on this occasion in the name of the Grand Master of Ireland . I feel
myself highly gratified by his presence hero this day , and I am sure yon will drink with all honours tlie toast , which is " The health of the Grand Musters of Scotland and Ireland . " ( Drunk with loud cheering . )
The Earl of Dalhousie , G . M . for Scotland , said , —Brethren , as your M . AV . Grand Master has said , tlie toast he has just given on ordinary occasions is somewhat of a formal character . 1 rejoice to find ou this important occasion that we are united together , and I thank you for the way in which the G . M . of Scotland has been received iu the Grand Lodge of England } aud , brethren , I shall make my constituents in Scotland aware of the hih honour have conferred ou their Grand Master
g you on the present occasion . I hope , however , that I do not sever myself when I say that although sailing under my national colours , you will recognise the old flag under which I formerly fought . Although I have been called upon to fill the Masonic throne of Scotland for a season , my Masonry dates from England , and England is the standard under which I was made , aud under which I served . I am old enough to remember the
introduction of our M . W . G . Master to tlie Masonic throne of England ,, and since he has occupied that line he has been of great benefit to the Masons of England in the accomplishment of that great work of which he has this day , as it were , made the key stone . Brethren , lot me congratulate you that you have now a temple of Freemasonry , not where we celebrate festivities , but in a lace where we can on the secret mysteries of the Craft
p carry , and where only those sacred mysteries will be practised within these walls . You have not only * done that , but you have added a group of buildings , and the * magnificent hall in which I am now addressing you . Nothing is more required to make Freemasony in England perfect than that every man should put his